De dwerg Ridder der Adeldoms als huzaar, 1720 1718 - 1720

Andries van Buysen the Elder created this print, "The Dwarf Knight of Nobility as a Hussar," around 1720. It presents us with a caricature of a figure, both diminutive and pompous, dressed as a soldier. The print reflects the social and political tensions in the Netherlands during the early 18th century. The Dutch Republic was a complex society with a powerful merchant class and a system of government that often led to factionalism and social satire. The figure of the dwarf knight may be a commentary on the pretensions of the nobility or the perceived corruption of the ruling elite. He is dressed as a Hussar, a type of light cavalry known for its flamboyance, but his dwarfish stature undermines the martial image. By studying prints like this one, we can learn about the ways in which artists used satire to comment on the social structures of their time. Resources such as period pamphlets and political tracts can illuminate the context in which the artwork was made.